Hue (VNA) – The central city of Hue, which was once Vietnam’s imperial capital, is set to become a magnet for holidaymakers during the upcoming national reunification-May Day holidays from April 30 to May 4, with municipal authorities forecasting around 150,000 visitor arrivals, bringing some 300 billion VND (11.52 million USD) in revenues.
The city is positioning itself as a top destination for the long break by offering a rich tapestry of cultural, culinary, and leisure experiences. These festivities are part of the larger Visit Vietnam Year 2025 programme, themed “Hue - Ancient Capital, New Opportunity”. Highlights include an exhibition on Vietnamese tourism, cultural heritage, landmarks and traditional craft products running from April 27 to May 2, and the 45th General Assembly of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) from April 27 to 29.
Renowned globally for its cuisine, with a recent ranking among the world’s top 100 food cities, Hue is making the most of its strengths with a culinary event from April 29 to May 2. The festival will feature over 68 stalls from across the country, showcasing regional delicacies, and is expected to draw more than 50,000 visitors. Alongside, curated food tours and traditional craft village excursions are being piloted to encourage longer stays and increased tourist spending.
Local tourism authorities have proactively bolstered service quality, safety, and visitor experiences. Accommodation providers, particularly upscale resorts and three-star-and-above hotels, have ramped up preparations since the start of the year. Many have already reported booking rates exceeding 85%, with near-full occupancy expected on peak days, April 30 and May 1.
꧋ According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the city will maintain momentum after the holidays with a lineup of vibrant events as part of the year-round festival, including Vesak Week, a vegetarian food festival, a lotus festival, and the grand finale of Miss Vietnam 2025./.
Imperial Citadel, the heart of the former imperial capital of Hue, looks like a beautiful painting with its majestic, refined architecture from 143 years of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945), interwoven with the lush greenery of trees and the poetic charm of the Huong River. The Citadel is not only a cultural heritage site, but also a witness to the nation's history and a place where timeless love stories are kept alive. Visitors will find themselves captivated by the beauty, both grand and delicate, of this former imperial city.
The tourism sector of Hue city is oriented to become a spearhead economic sector, with a sustainable development and in tandem with the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage values. In 2025, Hue’s tourism industry aims to welcome around 5 million visitors, with international arrivals accounting for approximately 38–40%, and total revenue reaching about 11.2 trillion VND (434 million USD).
The municipal Department of Tourism said that it will join hands with competent sides to outline initiatives for Quarter 2, including an international culinary exchange, rural tourism promotion conferences, and fam trips to explore potential rural tourism products.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
